2025 Legislative Update: Key Developments Following Crossover Day
The Georgia Legislature recently reached Crossover Day on March 6, 2025—a pivotal deadline where bills must pass their originating chamber to remain active. With only 12 legislative days left until the session ends on April 4, lawmakers are working swiftly to advance pending legislation.
Amended Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Highlights
Governor Kemp signed the $40.5 billion Amended Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which includes substantial funding across critical areas:
$867 million for Hurricane Helene relief
$50 million for school security
$266 million for water and sewer infrastructure
$1 billion in tax refunds for Georgia taxpayers
$500 million for freight investment
$140 million for K-12 education
$434 million for the Department of Corrections
$105 million for public safety initiatives
The House is expected to advance the Fiscal Year 2026 budget soon.
Notable Legislation That Passed by Crossover Day
Criminal Law
SB 27: Establishes doxxing as a criminal offense, with penalties ranging from misdemeanor to felony.
SB 147: Allows the release of certain inmate records and requires issuing identification cards upon release.
SB 204: Empowers district attorneys to file accusations in non-violent cases.
SB 244: Grants defendants attorney’s fees if a prosecuting attorney is disqualified.
SB 268: Criminalizes interference with first responders.
HB 161: Authorizes the GBI to subpoena electronic records in cyber-related investigations.
HB 430: Permits the GBI to register nonresident sexual offenders.
HB 460: Safeguards attorney-client privilege for incarcerated clients.
Evidence and Procedure
SB 173: Allows uncontested motions to be granted automatically in superior and state courts.
SB 298: Grants the right of direct appeal in criminal cases involving capital offenses.
HB 531: Permits direct appeal in cases where sovereign immunity is denied.
Family Law
HB 245: Allows parents and grandparents to petition to revoke visitation rights.
HB 253 (Ethan’s Law): Limits the court's ability to mandate family reunification programs for children.
Juvenile Law
SB 61: Grants superior courts jurisdiction over minors aged 13-17 for serious charges, including terroristic threats.
SB 179: Requires swift transfer of student records between schools.
SB 259: Provides parents the right to an independent medical evaluation in suspected child abuse cases.
HB 627: Extends superior court jurisdiction to juveniles charged with terroristic threats against public schools.
Real Property
SB 119: Establishes limited exceptions for classifying manufactured homes as real property.
Other Significant Bills
SB 121: Increases uninsured motorist coverage for DUI and reckless driving convictions.
SB 132: Requires hearings to assess competency requests in criminal cases.
SB 218: Assigns the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission to the Administrative Office of the Courts.
SB 233: Revises subcommittees of the Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission.
HB 484: Mandates digitization and electronic publication of Georgia Laws.
HB 530: Authorizes electronic filing of pleadings in probate courts.
Stay Informed
We will continue monitoring legislative developments and providing updates. For inquiries or more details on specific bills, please contact Jenn McNeely, Director of Governmental Affairs, at jennm@gabar.org.
Disclaimer: This update is for informational purposes and does not represent endorsements by the State Bar of Georgia.
Reference: 2025 legislative update: Crossover day. 2025 Legislative Update | Crossover Day. (n.d.). https://sbog.informz.net/informzdataservice/onlineversion/ind/bWFpbGluZ2luc3RhbmNlaWQ9MTE5MDI0MjQmc3Vic2NyaWJlcmlkPTEwMTc4MTg3NDQ=
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